Whether you are embarking on your first safari, or you know what you’re looking for, I will dish up a safari to suit your taste. If you’re a wildlife photographer, looking for elephants silhouetted against a setting sun, I would recommend the Selenkay Conservancy, on the border of the Amboseli National Park where you can see the famous tuskers but in a less crowded setting and with no restrictions on hours. If you’ve always wanted to see a cheetah sprint, I will tailor your trip to give you the best chances of seeing a cheetah hunt take place. Some people are there for birds. If this is you, I would discuss a few particular camps with you, with guides who have particularly good avian knowledge. My goal is for you to have your ultimate safari experience, whatever that may be for you.
Africa offers many safari destinations including Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Each have different draws and some are better at certain times of the year or mix well with other activities. We can discuss what's best for you and tailor your trip accordingly.
An African Safari is an opportunity to see the world as it used to be, when animals could freely roam, and live wild and natural lives as part of a bountiful and breath-taking ecosystem. If you’re interested in going on a safari you’ve probably watched your fair share of wildlife documentaries but nothing prepares you for the wealth of wildlife and how close your expert guides can get you to the animals without disturbing them. Some are more rare than others, and some can only be seen at night.
As you get into your safari vehicle at the crack of dawn, you’ll note the chill in the air and feel grateful for the rising sun.
Nothing quite prepares you for the first time you drive up to a pride of lions and watch them play, squabble and roll over and fall asleep, completely ignoring your presence.
Later, watching a hunt unravel just feet away from you, seeing the teamwork, the hierarchy in action and hearing the roars alongside the tormenting laughs of hyenas is a spectacle you will remember for ever.
There are of course more calm and less overwhelming moments such as watching a herd of elephants walking towards you from the horizon, passing by close enough to smell, with adults throwing mud on themselves to cool down and one ton youngsters gambling about in delight.
Don’t forget to look up to the skies. The sunrises, cloud formations and sunsets are theatrical performances in themselves.
If you’re asking about the weather, a lot of people will tell you about dry seasons, green seasons, short rains and long rains. From my experience, this has changed over the last few years and is generally no longer the case (probably due to climate change). It can rain during ‘dry seasons’ and be dry as a bone during ‘wet seasons’. As far as ‘green seasons’ go (where the plains are meant to be green and lush), it will always be green in the weeks following a period of rain.
East Africa is a paradise all year around, and each time of year will bring a different and special experience. While there is no time I would recommend you don’t go, there are three times of year I reckon you will have an exceptional trip.
Lush after the rains
Whilst some people choose to avoid the long rains from the end of April to the start of June, the heavy rainfall during this time makes for some beautiful scenes. The plains will be lush and green, the rivers will roar and many of your photos will have a rainbow backdrop!
Migration crossings
If you’re keen to visit during the migration and see dramatic river crossings, the months from June to October are when your chances are highest (and as a result prices and crowds in the national reserves too!), although there is never any guarantee! Your best bet is to stay local and be waiting as the animals cross whenever they feel like it!
Off-seasons
Once you’ve been on a few safaris you may start to enjoy the slower pace of the off-season (October – November, January – May). You’ll see fewer people, you may have more space in camps and vehicles (unless they’re exclusive at the outset) and will probably pay less too. If your budget is deciding the duration of your trip, I would recommend visiting during the off-season for more days at the same price.
Most people know about the big-name destinations such as the Maasai Mara National Reserve, the Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater. These popular national parks are great, but I would reccomend something different.
A conservancy is usually adjacent to or adjoining government run national reserves, and is part of the ecosystem for East Africa’s wild animals.
Camps, with large luxury tents available, immerse you more fully into the wilderness and you will hear and see animals around you throughout your stay.
Tailor-made trips, unique destinations, enthusiastic expert guides, up close & personal with wildlife, night-time excursions and the bush by foot
